{Friday Fab 5…North Face, Wild, Brrr…}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

Short and sweet this week folks…

{#1-North Face ad}

The ad is only 30 seconds long, but it is so where my heart is these days. The mountains are calling. It’s as if North Face wrote this add to me directly. Nice job ad women and men! #neverstopexploring

{#2-Brrr…}

I know everyone is sick of talking about the weather, but SERIOUSLY. It is really dang cold outside. Freezing temps means buying day passes to run at the gym. So looking forward to the heat wave this weekend-30’s!

{#3-Wild-From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed}

I finally read Catching Fire so the husband can stop getting on my case three times a day-minimum! I liked it, but didn’t love it. Much better than the first. What I am loving right now is Wild. I started this Tuesday and stayed up too late on a school night. Something about Strayed’s voice and story sucked me in right away. Back cover in a sentence–> Strayed had lost everything so she decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (Cali to Oregon) alone (with no training) and finds healing along the way. Love so far.

{#4-Asparagus Delight}

from miracleskinny drops.com

A super simple recipe we enjoyed this week for making a delish side of two of my favorite veggies.

{#5-Winter Miles Challenge}

If you haven’t joined yet, it is not too late. Joined and had a rough week? Work got you down? Cold temps=excuses this week? You still have this weekend to make up those winter miles. Get after it.

Happy Weekend!

3Jan2014

{Friday Fab 5-Chicken Tikka Masala, Roadtrippers App…

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala}

Ever since going to Taste of Madison in August and trying Chicken Tikka Masala for the first time, I’ve wanted it again and again. While pinteresting the other day I found this recipe, and we ate it on Monday for dinner. It was yummy, however I will add extra garam masala to add some extra spice. The cilantro and lemon added the perfect balance to round out this dish. Yum!

{#2-Roadtrippers App and Website}

This app and website are amazing. After taking our first roadtrip last summer, we are hooked. There is something about driving through towns, local food and beer, nature and landscapes so different from our own that we love. We have, of course by we I mean I, been busy planning here and there for a couple of months already.

I discovered this website while planning away this past weekend. It lets you plan your route, which can be adjusted, and then add in things to see, do, etc. along the way. It has tons of options from hikes, to national parks, to out of the way attractions, to breweries, to sweet tooth stops. I’ve got our routes and stops planned with a general itinerary made. On top of that it keeps track of the hours, miles, and gas cost to take your road trip (you punch in you mpg, it calculates $ for you). Check this website out, then add the app to your phone. Your trips will show up on your phone and give you turn by turn directions. Above is a glimpse at our trip-Go West 2014! Check out the quick video below about Roadtrippers, too. Anyone already made a trip out West and have suggestions? Can’t miss stops? I’d love to hear about them!

{#3-Fun Makeup}

I don’t normally share makeup stuff on the blog, nor do I usually buy discount makeup products as I usually find you get what you pay for, however these colors were too fun and cheap to not buy (clearance @Target for $7.10). I was also pleasantly surprised at the quality. The colors are smooth, long lasting, and highly pigmented. If you’ve been looking for some fun colors to add to your makeup routine, but don’t want to spend all your money, then these are it! Just don’t have too many of number 4 below or you could end up looking frightening!

{#4-Shiner Holiday Cheer}

My dad and stepmom know how Ryan and I love us some Shiner beer, so they rarely travel to Wisco without restocking us up. We love that they do this! The family reunion packs are always filled with a variety you can’t find here. This year they also brought the seasonal Shiner Holiday Cheer. It is delicious and unlike any beer I’ve tasted before. Holiday Cheer is a Bavarian-style dark wheat brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. It is really smooth, too!

{#5-Happy New Year to you all}

Thanks to all of you for reading! I hope the new year brings happiness and cheer to you and yours! Our new year brought us some major gambling cheer as I walked away the big winner in the group with…$40 bucks. Our lives will never be the same!

Stay tuned for Sunday’s post to find out how week 1 of marathon training went for the hubster and I!

Happy Weekend!

27Dec2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5, Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Lots of freshly fallen snow to run in}

Makes for some gorgeous runs!

{#2-Sisters}

Can’t help but think of how much we’ve grown up. We’ve always had a rough time getting along, by in the past few years have made huge strides in our relationship.

{#3-Sand Creek Brewery}

While in my hometown, we had to try some of the local beers. Even though the Badger Porter and Cranberry Ale (love) are favorites of ours (and may
or may not be In our fridge now) there were still many to try! See photo below!

{#4-more Sand Creek Brewery}

{#5-Favorite guy to celebrate with at ALL holiday parties!}

Today we are headed to Christmas number 3!

Happy Weekend!

20Dec2013

{Friday Fab 5-La Crosse Edition}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

Since La Crosse was recently names the number two best small town (70,000ish) to live in, and the fact that we are there all the time it is the focus this week. Over the past six days we have drove there and back 3 times. Why? Because La Crosse is just that awesome. What makes it so great? Well… Not in any special order. This week we…

{#1-planned to go to 4 Sisters}

But they were closed for a holiday party. So instead of our annual tradition of wine, amazing tapas, and views if Riverside Park decked out in millions of holiday lights…

{#2-Good Eats at Buzzard Billy’s}

We headed over to a yummy Cajun restaurant. Ever since going to New Orleans his summer I can’t get enough of the Cajun spice.

{#3-Jambalaya}

I had delicious jambalaya. Buzzard Billy’s is located right beneath the amazing retro martini bar, The Starlite Lounge. Martinis and I are best matched for a weekend night, so we had to pass on those.

{#4-Rotary Lights}

Then it was time to get bundles up and head over to the millions of lights, now LED, to round our our holiday tradition.

{#5-Never get sick of these light}

Each year they add in some changes. With all LED lights the colors are so vivid now. They also collect food and monetary donations for local food pantries. Other than your donation, the lights are no cost to viewers.

Oh, I did run this week continuing my Runner's World streak. Check out my Instagram feed for more run streak photos!

Happy Weekend!

12Dec2013

{Friday Fab 5-taco chicken chili, ugly sweater 5k, pay it forward…}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Chili}

Friends liked this chili at our Friendsgiving get together that proved interesting!

{#2-Holiday Flowers}

Seeing these flowers on our island every time I walk through the kitchen makes me smile. I love the textures, colors, and smells. Such an easy holiday decoration.

{#3-Gingerbread Beer}

Leave it up to Blue Moon to brew up this hint of spice brew. Delicious!

{#4-Ugly Sweater 5k this weekend}

You can register even right before the race. Plus, with highs in the 20’s in our area it will nearly be a heat wave this weekend!

{#5-Kits for the Homeless}

For pay it forward day in the #elf4health challenge, one of the things I did was create these bags for future homeless Ryan and I drive by. We are each keeping two in our car to be ready at any given time.

Happy Weekend!

6Dec2013

{Friday Fab 5-Christmas Decor Special}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

If you know me, then you know me and Christmas go together like a couple who are nauseatingly in love. Despite the rare fact that we don’t have a tree yet, we have lots of other holiday decor in the house right now. I posted most of my running photos to Instagram this week because I am participating in Runner’s World Holiday Run Streak (run everyday from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day), so here are some of my favorites from decorating this week!

{#1-My advent calendar}

I made this last year out of a mini-muffin tin after never finding one I liked. In each muffin spot is either a holiday activity or tradition to do such as watch a Christmas movie, get peppermint hot cocoa and walk to look at holiday lights, or build a snowman. It’s a fun way to celebrate the season and get excited each morning.

{#2-Holiday Garland and Mistletoe}

Keepin’ the romance alive one kiss at a time. I recently read somewhere that some married people kiss only once a week. The average is 11 to 40 times per week, but those kisses last only a few seconds. Regardless of the number, kisses happen way less frequently in married couples than dating couples (or so this article said). Why not try to change this?!

{#3-Lottery Advent Calendar}

I’m not for sure if you can call this decor, but I do. It decorates our refrigerator, and it gives us hope that one day we will have both of our student loans paid off. One can dream right? Oh, and we take turns lifting a flap and scratching that days ornament. I have the odd days this year. I secretly picked odds because you get to go first, last, and have an extra day. 😉

{#4-My advent tree}

I know, what is with me and advent decor. This little tree is in our bedroom, and I hold it near and dear. My grandma gave this to me for Christmas when I was in elementary school. The lights have since stopped working, but the joy it brings me to wind it up and hear it play music everyday after opening a drawer and adding an ornament to the tree hasn’t. This was always a favorite of mine growing up, and it still is. I always think of her when I add an ornament.

{#5-Our Christmas village}

This village once belonged to my mom. She passed it on to me several years ago. It is time consuming to put up, but so pretty when it is done. And a couple more photos because it is just that festive and lovely.

Happy Weekend!

22Nov2013

{Friday Fab 5-Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce, Turkey Trots, Ugly Sweater 5k…}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce and Sage}

A new recipe I tried last week that was different, but really good. Perhaps not the healthiest, but not the worst either.

{#2-Rotary Lights 5k now Ugly Sweater 5k}

Ryan and I are all signed up for one of our favorite Christmas traditions. See my post about previous year’s Rotary Lights 5k for more info. Now to find an ugly sweater for me and the husband…insert evil laugh!

{#3-UW-L Turkey Trot}

This weekend will be my 7th Turkey Trot. Can’t wait.

{#4-Festival Foods 5 Mile}

New on my racing calendar is the Thanksgiving Day 5 miler. I’ve always wanted to race on the actual turkey day, and Thursday I will make my debut!

{#5-Relaxin’ with a Runner’s World}

Made time to do some reading about running this week. I heart Runner’s World.

Anybody else have holiday races coming up?

Happy Weekend!

15Nov2013

{Friday Fab 5-Kansas City Edition}

Posted in Friday Fab 5, Travel by sneaksandstilettos

This weeks edition is about fun things from Kansas City!
{#1-Views from the tower}

While visiting the national World War I museum you can go in this tower and overlook the Kansas City area. Pretty!

{#2-Beer Kitchen}

I had one of the most delicious and unique burgers here. The smokestack was a burger with smoked Gouda cheese, pickle relish, jalapeño straws, whiskey BBQ glaze, and chipotle aioli on a potato bun. Amazing!

{#3-Boulevard Brewing}

Beer Kitchen specializes in unique, hard to find beers, but also carries some local beers like this yummy wheat! When a sign that says Buddy the Elf-what’s your favorite beer greets you at the bar, you know it’s a fun place.

{#4-Nelson-Atkins Art Museum}

Unfortunately we only had a chance to walk around outside the museum enjoying the warm weather. Next time!

{#5-Cupcake Ala Mode}

Here I had the best cupcake I’ve ever eaten! I had the Chocolatte and saved the Red Velvet for later. Ryan ate the Caramel Apple saving his Marshmallow Fondue for later. All were amazing, but now I’m craving cupcakes everyday! I suppose there are way worse problems I could have!

Happy Weekend!

8Nov2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Loving these not sneaks, not stilettos shoes}

Ever since spraining the ankle, I’ve been forced to wear more flats. When flats look like these they are not so bad. Plus I got points towards more shoes at DSW-win-win!

{#2-It’s Turkey Trot Season}

I had to get a festive Sweaty Band to wear at one or more of the turkey trots I’m running this month.

{#3-State #14 is this weekend!}

We are off to Kansas this weekend! Bring on highs near 60 degrees. You know you live in Wisconsin if this makes you excited!

{#4-NYC Memories}

I saw this in Women’s Running Magazine this month and found it so fitting from my recent trip there. One of the best ways to see NYC is in your sneaks! Click sneaks to read about my 8-9 miles NYC run all over.

{#5-Veterans Day}

A special vet in my life!

Don’t forget to thank a service member and their families this weekend in advance of this important day. I’m so grateful for all they’ve given and done for each of us. How different our world would be without their bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice. Thank you veterans!

Happy Weekend!

1Nov2013

{Friday Fab 5}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

{#1-Halloweens Past}

This is the first year Ryan and I are not dressing up and celebrating Halloween. I guess we’re getting old. We’ve had our share of fun over the past years though…

{#2-Halloween Present}

Involved me eating too many Twix bars. Seriously way too many and watching some classic Halloween movies. I love Hocus Pocus almost more than Twix. This was followed by…

{#3-SCARY movies}

We have this ritual of watching scary movies on Halloween. It’s a once a year thing because I cannot handle it. I seriously freak out; heart pounding, screaming, eyes and ears covered. I really don’t like them, but make myself watch because I sort of like them. For the next month I will check closets, under beds, sleep with my phone…

{#4-Zombies may kill me this weekend}

In the scary movie above a tunnel blows up trapping people and zombies brutally chase and stab people (in the first half). Perfect for the Rails to Trails Half Marathon I’m running Sunday. Now I have to worry about tunnels blowing up and murderous zombies chasing and trying to kill me. This is why I can’t watch scary movies but once a year.

{#5-Today is November 1st}

This means it is a great time of year to once again remember all the things we have to be thankful for. Last year we wrote it on the wall, literally. We plan to do this again as a daily reminder of the amazing life we live. Too often we take things in our life, big and little, for granted.

Happy Weekend!